Tuesday, July 04, 2006Superman Returns
Took in the spectacle and wonder that is Superman Returns on the IMAX last night. I have to say, overall, the movie was a strong return for the Man of Steel to the big screen. I think this one could do for Superman what Batman Begins did for that franchise.

Yes, the first 30 or so minutes are bit slow going, but that seems to be a pattern for Bryan Singer super-hero films. But once Clark returns to his old job at the Daily Planet and we see Lois Lane on-screen again, things pick up and sustain well until the ending credits. Brandon Roush does a good job channeling Christopher Reeve, though there is less "difference" between how Roush plays Clark and Superman as was so evident with Reeve. Kevin Spacey is great as Lex Luthor and it's nice to see that Lex's super genius, evil motive remains consistent from the first film--he wants wealth from land values. Oh so a few billion people have to die...nyah, that's the way the cookie crumbles.

One of the strengths of the film is that it takes time for us to care about the characters. The most successful superhero films ground the characters in a sense of reality and development, such as the original Superman, the two Spider-Man films, Singer's two X-Men films and last year's Batman Begins. By taking a bit more time and care, we have an emotional investment in things and that makes for a more enjoyable expereince. Sure Superman can fly and save the world, but he's incredibly awkward in his personal life. I love how he's confident and self-assured in every other aspect of his life, but when it comes to Lois, he's totally clueless.

All in all, a fun summer movie and a triumphant return for the Man of Steel to the big screen.

The only negative I found (other than the show start) was that one of the main plot twists I figured out from the previews. That's all I'll say about that...

Let me also add that the IMAX 3-D exeprience was great. The movie had four sequences in 3-D, the best being about 2/3rds of the way through when Superman has to rescue Lois, her fiance and her son from a sinking ship. There's a sequence there that is probably just breathtaking on the big screen to start with, but add in the 3-D expereince and it was beyond great. (Superman is holding onto Lois and company as a boat falls into the ocean....great use of 3-D. )